The Dallas Stars’ start to their Game 5 elimination game at home against the Edmonton Oilers couldn’t have gone much worse.
Just 7:09 into the game, the Stars pulled goalie Jake Oettinger and replaced him with backup Casey DeSmith, who hadn’t seen any playoff action since the first round, after Oettinger allowed two goals on the first two shots he faced.
After giving up two early goals, the Stars have pulled goalie Jake Oettinger and replaced him with Casey DeSmith.
— SportsDay Stars (@dmn_stars) May 30, 2025
It didn't work. DeSmith promptly gave up another and the Stars trail 3-0 10 minutes into Game 5. 😬😬😬
(Via @sportsnet | #TexasHockey)pic.twitter.com/dUjM1uiqRz
Corey Perry scored on a power play just 2:31 into the contest when he was left wide open in the slot. Mattias Janmark made it 2-0 after he blew by the Stars defense and was wide open in the slot as well.
The goalie change didn’t help much, as just 58 seconds later, DeSmith gave up a goal to Jeff Skinner. Edmonton led 3-0 just 8:07 into the game.
Oettinger had been Dallas’ most consistent player through the first two rounds of the playoffs. He had a .919 save percentage and 2.47 goals-against average, among the best numbers in the league.
But Oettinger’s performance took a dip in the third round. Entering Game 5, he had a .869 save percentage and 3.55 goals-against average.
Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner had been outstanding all series, with a .939 save percentage and 1.76 goals-against average.
The Stars needed Oettinger to be the better goalie to have any chance of stopping the Oilers’ star power, and for the second straight year in the Western Conference finals, he wasn’t.
On X/Twitter: @Lassimak